Aggiefest livestock contest, horse judging workshop set for Oct. 24

COLLEGE STATION – The 2015 Aggiefest Livestock Judging Contest and Aggiefest Horse Judging Workshop will be held Oct. 24.

The livestock judging contest will be held at Louis Pearce Pavilion, 555 George Bush Drive West, in College Station. The horse judging workshop will be held at Freeman Arena located at 7802 Turkey Creek Road in College Station.
The Aggiefest Livestock Judging Contest is sponsored by the Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Team and is open to all 4-H and FFA members.

Individuals and four-member teams will compete in three age groups: sub-junior, ages 8-11; junior, ages 12-14; and senior, ages 15 and older. Contestants will judge eight classes of cattle, swine, sheep and goats. Questions will be asked over three classes.

The high-point individual in each age division will receive a belt buckle, and the top 10 individuals and the top two teams in each age division will receive awards.

“Aggiefest is a great opportunity for youth livestock judgers of all ages to demonstrate their knowledge of sheep, goats, cattle and swine through competing in their respective age divisions,” said Brant Poe, lecturer and Texas A&M University livestock judging coach, College Station. “This contest is a great chance for youth to continue expanding their skills while being rewarded for their efforts.”

Registration can be made online at http://www.judgingcard.com. Cost to enter is $15 per person by Oct. 16, and $20 per person Oct. 17 and after.

Onsite registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. followed by the contest at 9 a.m. The awards presentation will be at 1:30 p.m.

The Aggiefest Horse Judging Workshop welcomes youth of all ages to participate in a day of horse judging fundamentals instruction, including reasons formatting, halter classes, and Western and English riding classes. Placings, cuts and critiques will be discussed following each class.

Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. and the workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“The Aggiefest Horse Judging Workshop is a great place for judgers of all skill levels to practice in a low-stress environment” said Teri Antilley, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse program specialist, College Station. “Coaches and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend free of charge to help youth get the most out of the event.”

Registration can be made online at http://www.judgingcard.com. Cost to register is $15 per youth by Oct. 21 and $20 per youth after Oct. 21. Online registration requires one consolidated entry for each FFA chapter or county 4-H group.

For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.